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A friend in Hawai’i during dinner a few years ago mentioned that a black cat had crossed his path the previous day while he was en route to some big, math-related test for his big, math-related master’s degree. When he specified that it was a black community cat (the University of Hawai’i has a big community cat population), our group gave up three simultaneous cries.

“Aww!” I said, because I’m me. And because I enjoyed the company of the University of Hawai’i community cats more than most students.

“Uh-oh!” my born-and-raised American friend said

“Oh!” said my Japanese friend — with a smile.

Most understood my American friend’s reaction — “Did you feel jinxed for your test?” some people asked — but I preferred my Japanese friend’s response: “But that’s good!”

Unlike much of the western world, Japanese culture sees a black cat crossing your path as a good omen. In fact, black cats are generally seen as good luck in Japan and much of Asia. My Chinese mother, the Feng Shui master, specifically put her black cat’s bed on the north side of her home to ward off evil.

“Tiptoe is a very lucky cat,” she said. “Good luck follows her.”

I think Tiptoe just likes that her bed is nearest the coveted space heater in the winter.

So are black cats good luck? Let’s look at these good black cat luck superstitions around the world:

1. Black cats bless marriages

A black cat with green eyes. Photography by ueuaphoto / Shutterstock.

English superstition says that giving a bride a black cat on her wedding day will bring her good luck in her marriage. It’s also thought that newlyweds with a black cat in their home will have a long, happy life together, and the black cat will ward off evil spirits. In much of the UK, the black of a cat is a lucky color.

While I don’t necessarily condone giving cats as gifts, newlyweds or spouses-to-be should rejoice in sharing their home with a black kitty.

If you’re a woman still looking for that special someone, Japanese superstition says a black cat will bring a single woman many good suitors.

2. Black cats draw wealth and prosperity

You might have seen the “Fortune Cats” or Maneki Neko that populate Japanese culture. Those little cat figurines with the raised paws are meant to draw good luck, wealth and prosperity to their owners. Often they are white, but Lucky Cats also come in black.

A black Lucky Cat not only brings luck but also frightens away demons, evil energy, and stalkers. (Yes, stalkers.)

3. Black cats make safe homes and good harvests

Also, as my Feng Shui-inclined mom says, black cats possesses strong powers of good. If you keep your black cats happy and safe, they will keep you happy and safe. If you don’t have a black cat in real life to guard your home, a black cat figurine facing north will keep bad energy and spirits away.

And while we’re on the subject of gods and demons, in Norse mythology the goddess of love, fertility and beauty, Freya, rides on a chariot pulled by two black cats. To win favor with Freya, farmers would leave bowls of milk for her companions in their fields. Freya would then bless them with a good harvest.

4. Black cats in the audience help a play

Cats are excellent audience members. Just ask my cat Brandy when I am moved to dance when my playlist cycles through to “Build Me Up Buttercup.” To theater folks in many cultures, there is no better audience member than a black cat. If a black cat finds its way into your audience on opening night, your play will have a long and prosperous run.

5. Black cats lead to treasure

It’s also been long believed that black cats invite not only fortune in the way of good luck, but also in the way of wealth. French peasants long believed that if a black cat was released at a crossroads where five roads intersect, the black cat would lead them to treasure.

6. Respecting a black cat brings fortune

And in the south of France, black cats have been called “matagot” and are known as “magician cats” or even “money cats.” If shown the proper respect — like being given the first bite of dinner, having a nice bed to sleep in or having a home even after their owner’s death — the matagot will reward their person with wealth and good luck. (This belief does have some ties to black cats and negative connotations of witchcraft, but I choose to look at it as those who do not treat their cats well get their comeuppance.)

7. Black cats give sailors safe travels

English sailors could probably have used a matagot in their home to bring them some extra wealth. In ye olde times, black cats were thought to be so lucky and such and assurance that sailors would return safely home from sea that many black cats cost so much as to be unaffordable for seafarers.

Black cat or not, I’m sure most of our feline family members would agree that having the first bite of our dinners is well within their rights.

Happy Halloween, cat lovers. All cats have their own brand of luck, but this Halloween consider it no “trick” that you have the “treat” of having a lucky black cat in your life.

About the author: Louise Hung is a morbidly inclined cat lady living in Hong Kong, with her cat, her man, and probably a couple ghost cats. You can follow her on Twitter or drop her a line at IamLouiseMicaela@gmail.com.

15 comments on “7 Ways Black Cats Bring Good Luck Around the World”

Hello anyone could advice me.. after i came from the funeral meeting i saw a small pure black cat in my office/home (funeral parlor) and i feel afraid.. so i take him/her out.. after an hour again i heared cats whispering and when i chek in the office the black cat lying inside the casket so i take the cat out again and hes so angry to me.. im afraid pls advice thank u

I have had two beautiful all black cats one I found New Years Eve in NY in the early 90’s Brought him to VA he passed and then the week of Hollween I found a beautiful black kitten in the front of my Condo Oct 2007 he was not well Thanksgiving 2016 and I needed to let him go I miss him so very much everyone were I live knew Romeo and always asked about him so every Holloween I will think of him I hope I will find another or will go to a shelter and find another Miss you Romeo

Great stories! my 12 yr old coal black cat was found in a dumpster on
Xmas eve.he had an injured back leg.a friend found him and I took him,
Because of the four syblings,he would have been the least adoptable.
Alvin Ray is a treasure..loving,smart, and plain and simple,keeps me
Very happy. I give hm the best care and hope for many more years
To live and spoil him.He was diagnosed with FIP 3 yrs.ago,but thank
Fully he is healthy Dianne Vial

I’ve had my Qween 12 years now. I got her on a dark nite after she ran out in front of me and I rolled with my car, she wasn’t hurt but my 1st thought was, “Oh crap, I’ve just run over and killed a black cat”. I pulled over to see how bad she was hurt, but what did I see ? , this little maybe 3 month old little girl running towards me meowing up a storm. I’ve had her ever since, she’s my muse, when she’s cuddled up in my lap I have some of my best creative ideas !

My black cat Jasper approves of my black cat ears, black cat earrings, black cat Halloween shirt and black cat watch for Halloween. He was the lucky one when we rescued him as a 3 week old orphan 6 years ago. Now I’m totally hooked on all things related to black cats!

Very nice article, however I questioned the part where you said Freya’s chariot was pulled by two black cats. In all the literature I’ve read and paintings I’ve observed, the cats were never portrayed as black. They were usually depicted as striped cats, tabbies, but were never shown or described as being black. What source did you use that specified Freya’s cats as being black? Other than this one discrepancy I thought it was a very enjoyable article!

I have always heard that Freya’s cats were grey! I guess time passes and stories change. But I love grey cats, every one I ever met (including the one that lives with me now) was nuts, but in the funniest, most endearing ways.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this :) !!! I have 2 black cats and they are beauties. They are scrumptious treats every day of the year! Boo and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a.k.a. The Bean are fun, affectionate, playful, and awesome companions. I’d probably have a dozen or more if I could, because I’m magically drawn to the beauty and mystery that is the Black Cat!! So, I guess I’m LUCKY to have a double dose of Black Cat LUCK!!!